By Ashley Reyes

Ricardo Salinas is this week’s SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN) spotlight member. Salinas works at Phastek Performance, an aftermarket retailer that services Camaro owners with custom parts and vehicle upgrades. Learn about his passion for the industry in his Q&A with SEMA.   

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Ricardo Salinas: Remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint. If we are committed to the long-term then we need to stay focused on what drives us.

SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?

RS: The people—be it the CEO, upper management, sales, support members and most of all the customers. They all play a crucial part in the industry to keeping it alive.

SEMA: On a Saturday, where can you be found?

RS: With family or in the garage. The weekly grind requires some quality family time and much needed personal garage time.

SEMA: How you do prepare for an important meeting?

RS: Prepared for anything that can happen.  

SEMA: If you can go to lunch with one industry leader, who would it be?

RS: Carroll Shelby because he and his team did it all before the internet made it easier. I would like to know the grind that happened behind the scenes to make the magic happen in front of the world before it was mainstream.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) named Yvette Kinkade as this week’s #SheIsSEMA Spotlight Member. Kinkade is the co-founder and director of Track Day Club and a leading ambassador for women in motorsport and young driver initiatives. In Kinkade’s Q&A with SEMA, she shares how she became the only woman operator of Track Days in Australia, and gives details on the five-part success program her company has planned for 2021.

You can also watch Kinkade’s interview on the Track Day Club story to learn more about her company’s mission.

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Yvette Kinkade: You get what you give. Working hard to give more to everything in life and everyone I encounter has proven that it is returned tenfold.

SEMA: What keeps you involved in the industry?

YK: My passion is what drives me. A passion that comes from years in the motor trade and being a car gal from way back to now—the now being having great success as the only woman operator of Track Days in Australia.  

My mission has always been to encourage participation in our motorsport community, particularly for women and ensuring the avoidance of what I experienced 10 years ago at my very first Track Day. It was memorable, unfortunately not in a good way. The landscape then was unwelcoming and particularly intimidating. Lucky for me, it enabled this exciting and purposeful mission that was the start of my fantastic journey. Our all-inclusive approach has shifted industry goalposts and provided an accessible and inviting offering encouraging all levels of experience. I'm really proud of what I have achieved.

With the increase in women's participation at Track Days, I'm super excited to ramp things up in 2021 with the development of a five-part on-track success program. This exciting and unique program will deliver education, mindset, empowerment and participation with a purpose-built framework for success with tools for women to discover a new and exciting sport for themselves. Included is a scholarship program soon to be announced that will offer one recipient the opportunity to participate at no cost.

Yvette Kinkade

SEMA: On a Saturday, where can you be found?

YK: On track making sure my clients are experiencing the best Track Day experience possible and having fun. I could also be at a race meeting as race team manager for Team Virag racing—a father-and-daughter race team competing across the eastern seaboard of Australia, or I could be confidence coaching a client on track.

SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?

YK: I'm really big on being prepared. I adore a pen and paper. Ha! While it’s a bit old school, I love to have all the bullet points written down and ensure I know my subject matter before any meeting. Then throughout, I’m the one who is continuously taking notes and jotting down ideas and concepts as they come to light.

SEMA: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who would it be?

YK: I have two. Mary Barra, the chairman and CEO of General Motors. Ms. Barra understands the brand from the bottom up, the employees and the consumers. I would love to discuss insights about that journey. Jessi Combs is my other industry leader. It would have been amazing to have chatted with her and to have explored at such a young age how to foster such resilience and tenacity.

Fill out this form to be a part of the #SheIsSEMA family. You will have the opportunity to be featured on SBN’s social media, SEMA eNews and be recognized on the www.sema.org/sheissema website. While there, check out other inspirational women who are leading the industry and are paving the path for future success.

Not an SBN member? Fill out this form to join today.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) named Yvette Kinkade as this week’s #SheIsSEMA Spotlight Member. Kinkade is the co-founder and director of Track Day Club and a leading ambassador for women in motorsport and young driver initiatives. In Kinkade’s Q&A with SEMA, she shares how she became the only woman operator of Track Days in Australia, and gives details on the five-part success program her company has planned for 2021.

You can also watch Kinkade’s interview on the Track Day Club story to learn more about her company’s mission.

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Yvette Kinkade: You get what you give. Working hard to give more to everything in life and everyone I encounter has proven that it is returned tenfold.

SEMA: What keeps you involved in the industry?

YK: My passion is what drives me. A passion that comes from years in the motor trade and being a car gal from way back to now—the now being having great success as the only woman operator of Track Days in Australia.  

My mission has always been to encourage participation in our motorsport community, particularly for women and ensuring the avoidance of what I experienced 10 years ago at my very first Track Day. It was memorable, unfortunately not in a good way. The landscape then was unwelcoming and particularly intimidating. Lucky for me, it enabled this exciting and purposeful mission that was the start of my fantastic journey. Our all-inclusive approach has shifted industry goalposts and provided an accessible and inviting offering encouraging all levels of experience. I'm really proud of what I have achieved.

With the increase in women's participation at Track Days, I'm super excited to ramp things up in 2021 with the development of a five-part on-track success program. This exciting and unique program will deliver education, mindset, empowerment and participation with a purpose-built framework for success with tools for women to discover a new and exciting sport for themselves. Included is a scholarship program soon to be announced that will offer one recipient the opportunity to participate at no cost.

Yvette Kinkade

SEMA: On a Saturday, where can you be found?

YK: On track making sure my clients are experiencing the best Track Day experience possible and having fun. I could also be at a race meeting as race team manager for Team Virag racing—a father-and-daughter race team competing across the eastern seaboard of Australia, or I could be confidence coaching a client on track.

SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?

YK: I'm really big on being prepared. I adore a pen and paper. Ha! While it’s a bit old school, I love to have all the bullet points written down and ensure I know my subject matter before any meeting. Then throughout, I’m the one who is continuously taking notes and jotting down ideas and concepts as they come to light.

SEMA: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who would it be?

YK: I have two. Mary Barra, the chairman and CEO of General Motors. Ms. Barra understands the brand from the bottom up, the employees and the consumers. I would love to discuss insights about that journey. Jessi Combs is my other industry leader. It would have been amazing to have chatted with her and to have explored at such a young age how to foster such resilience and tenacity.

Fill out this form to be a part of the #SheIsSEMA family. You will have the opportunity to be featured on SBN’s social media, SEMA eNews and be recognized on the www.sema.org/sheissema website. While there, check out other inspirational women who are leading the industry and are paving the path for future success.

Not an SBN member? Fill out this form to join today.

By Ashley Reyes

Myles Kovacs

As founder of DUB Publishing Inc., Myles Kovacs is a name that many in the industry are familiar with. He was also just recently announced as the 2020 SEMA Person of the Year, and he will join the SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN) for a Facebook Live Chat, November 18, at 12:00 p.m. (PST).
Having propelled DUB Publishing and its family of companies into an annual $50 million-plus business, Kovacs will share his expertise and answer questions from attendees on “Entrepreneur 101—How to Start and Maintain Your Business.”

Kovacs continues to be leading voice of the influential, trend-setting youth segment, and has partnered with notable organizations targeting the youth market and young-adult culture. He is also an active advocate of the industry and has contributed to the success of many SEMA programs.

This live chat is the ideal opportunity to connect with one of Newsweek’s 10 Big Thinkers for Big Business in the 21st Century, and one of Entrepreneur magazine’s Top 25 Young Millionaires. Tune into the YEN Facebook page, November 18, at 12:00 p.m. (PST).

By Ashley Reyes

Myles Kovacs

As founder of DUB Publishing Inc., Myles Kovacs is a name that many in the industry are familiar with. He was also just recently announced as the 2020 SEMA Person of the Year, and he will join the SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN) for a Facebook Live Chat, November 18, at 12:00 p.m. (PST).
Having propelled DUB Publishing and its family of companies into an annual $50 million-plus business, Kovacs will share his expertise and answer questions from attendees on “Entrepreneur 101—How to Start and Maintain Your Business.”

Kovacs continues to be leading voice of the influential, trend-setting youth segment, and has partnered with notable organizations targeting the youth market and young-adult culture. He is also an active advocate of the industry and has contributed to the success of many SEMA programs.

This live chat is the ideal opportunity to connect with one of Newsweek’s 10 Big Thinkers for Big Business in the 21st Century, and one of Entrepreneur magazine’s Top 25 Young Millionaires. Tune into the YEN Facebook page, November 18, at 12:00 p.m. (PST).

By SEMA Editors

The TR Wholesale Solutions team, who played in Indianapolis, are the AACF Top Contender Champion winners. First runner up goes to Federated Auto Parts team who played in Richmond, Virginia; and second runner up awarded to Interstate Batteries team from Columbus, Ohio.

The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) has announced that the Inaugural AACF Top Contender National Championship was a big success. Teams of six enjoyed competing at Topgolf locations from coast to coast. “This was a fun solution to raise money for industry families in need and to offset revenue lost from our Annual Charity Las Vegas Golf Tournament being postponed,” said Executive Director Joel Ayres, “We saw an opportunity to try a new event, and it was a big hit!”

The TR Wholesale Solutions team, who played in Indianapolis, are the AACF Top Contender Champion winners. First runner up goes to Federated Auto Parts team who played in Richmond, Virginia; and second runner up awarded to Interstate Batteries team from Columbus, Ohio. Each player of the winning teams will be awarded crystal trophies and Amazon gift cards, sponsored by Truck Hero.

“We plan to continue this event next year, in addition to our Annual Charity Golf Tournament,” said Tyler Reeves, board trustee. “We saw such a positive response, had well over 200 golfers at 17 locations and feel there is endless potential to grow this event in the years to come.”

“We were proud that we were able to find a safe, fun, and all-inclusive fundraising event, during these challenging times.” said Ayres. “Our sincere thanks to the companies who participated and showed up to support the Foundation.”

If you would like to donate to the Foundation, visit www.aacfi.org/donate or contact Executive Director Joel Ayres at joel@aacfi.org.

By SEMA Editors

The TR Wholesale Solutions team, who played in Indianapolis, are the AACF Top Contender Champion winners. First runner up goes to Federated Auto Parts team who played in Richmond, Virginia; and second runner up awarded to Interstate Batteries team from Columbus, Ohio.

The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) has announced that the Inaugural AACF Top Contender National Championship was a big success. Teams of six enjoyed competing at Topgolf locations from coast to coast. “This was a fun solution to raise money for industry families in need and to offset revenue lost from our Annual Charity Las Vegas Golf Tournament being postponed,” said Executive Director Joel Ayres, “We saw an opportunity to try a new event, and it was a big hit!”

The TR Wholesale Solutions team, who played in Indianapolis, are the AACF Top Contender Champion winners. First runner up goes to Federated Auto Parts team who played in Richmond, Virginia; and second runner up awarded to Interstate Batteries team from Columbus, Ohio. Each player of the winning teams will be awarded crystal trophies and Amazon gift cards, sponsored by Truck Hero.

“We plan to continue this event next year, in addition to our Annual Charity Golf Tournament,” said Tyler Reeves, board trustee. “We saw such a positive response, had well over 200 golfers at 17 locations and feel there is endless potential to grow this event in the years to come.”

“We were proud that we were able to find a safe, fun, and all-inclusive fundraising event, during these challenging times.” said Ayres. “Our sincere thanks to the companies who participated and showed up to support the Foundation.”

If you would like to donate to the Foundation, visit www.aacfi.org/donate or contact Executive Director Joel Ayres at joel@aacfi.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam signed into law SEMA-supported legislation (H.B. 5058/S.B. 5029) that would change how certain traffic infractions are enforced, including suspected exhaust noise violations.

Previously, the following traffic infractions were considered primary offenses: operating a motor vehicle without an exhaust system that prevents excessive or unusual levels of noise, absence of a light illuminating a license plate, and the application of certain sun-shading materials and window tinting films. Under the new law, police are not be able to stop motorists for such infractions but can add these citations if motorists are pulled over for other reasons.

For more information and to request support for these bills, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam signed into law SEMA-supported legislation (H.B. 5058/S.B. 5029) that would change how certain traffic infractions are enforced, including suspected exhaust noise violations.

Previously, the following traffic infractions were considered primary offenses: operating a motor vehicle without an exhaust system that prevents excessive or unusual levels of noise, absence of a light illuminating a license plate, and the application of certain sun-shading materials and window tinting films. Under the new law, police are not be able to stop motorists for such infractions but can add these citations if motorists are pulled over for other reasons.

For more information and to request support for these bills, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam signed into law SEMA-supported legislation (H.B. 5058/S.B. 5029) that would change how certain traffic infractions are enforced, including suspected exhaust noise violations.

Previously, the following traffic infractions were considered primary offenses: operating a motor vehicle without an exhaust system that prevents excessive or unusual levels of noise, absence of a light illuminating a license plate, and the application of certain sun-shading materials and window tinting films. Under the new law, police are not be able to stop motorists for such infractions but can add these citations if motorists are pulled over for other reasons.

For more information and to request support for these bills, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.